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When someone tells you it's a $40,000 amp, does it sound better?

I've always been a little bit suspicious when gear costs more than $25,000 . At $25,000 all the components should be the finest, and allow room for designer Builder and the dealer to make some money.

I mean that seems fair, these boxes are not volume sellers no one's making a ton of money selling the stuff.

But if I'm listening to a $40,000 amplifier I imagine me Liking it a whole lot more just because it costs $40,000. How many people have actually experienced listening to a $40,000 amplifier.  It doesn't happen that often and usually when you do there's nothing else around to compare it to.  
 

I'm just saying expensive gear is absolutely ridiculous.  It's more of a head game I'm afraid. Some how if you have the money to spend, and a lot of people do, these individuals feel a lot better spending more money for something.  Now you own it, and while listening to it you will always be saying to yourself that thing cost $40,000 and somehow you'll enjoy it more.

 

jumia
carlsbad's avatar
carlsbad
1,551 posts
 

Interesting how you picked $25K...How much did you put in for marketing, warranty service, overhead staff, etc?  

overthemoon
417 posts
 

Two thoughts 

  1. “Fair” is subjective 
  2. Price of something is based on the market and specifically the customer 

in your scenario there are many incredible amplifiers. I’ve heard some amplifiers at $20-40k and the overall systems were 6 figures and they sounded incredible. 
 

And there are always differences in sound; will you enjoy the difference?  I don’t know and that’s true with many excellent amplifiers. 
 

Enjoy your journey. 

coys21
62 posts
 

I have to imagine most of those who are considering spending $40K on an amp (not me) would take the time to compare and determine their answer to that question?

My experience listening to $40K+ amps (not sure what you mean by ‘when someone tells you’) that I can not afford; yes, many of them sound better than less expensive amps.

 

 

 

kota1
2,706 posts
 

That is a good question and if the amp in your living room coast $100K than the one at your pool costing $40K may seem a bit lame. On the other hand if the amp in your garage cost $4K than the one at your pool may sound fabulous. 

Here is one for you, if you go to an audio show and everyone tells you that room X is best of show and to you room X is worst of show, do you tell people the truth or just agree with them that it is best of show?

 

roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,979 posts
 

@jumia 

I don't agree because I haven't heard such an amp to make that judgement, and apparently, neither have you so it's all just talk. As another poster here said, those who would spend that kind of money will normally compare, and unless they're buying for looks (which is normally a part of the decision), the main criteria is usually performance.

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